Loyalists, relatives of top politicians rewarded in Ruto's list of diplomats

The nomination of ambassadors and high commissioners by President William Ruto gave him an opportunity to reward close political allies who were rejected by electorates in the last election and also relatives of top politicians including Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

Among politicians nominated for the positions include those who had been chosen for the Chief Administrative Secretary positions that were declared unconstitutional by the courts.

In what looks like a new camaraderie and bid to court opposition, Raila's relative Akinyi Walkowa Odinga was nominated as Deputy Head of Mission in Los Angeles, USA. She is a stepsister of the opposition chief.

Former Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lt General Jonah Mwangi was nominated to serve as ambassador to Iran. Maangi had been tipped to serve as CAS in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the courts annulled the nominations as unconstitutional.

Former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi was picked as Kenya's ambassador to Accra, Ghana, while ex-Kisumu Senator Fred Outa was nominated ambassador to Cairo, Egypt.

Kemosi was initially appointed CAS in the Ministry of Trade and Industry while Outa was nominated to the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.

Former Kericho Senator Christopher Lang'at has been sent to Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Former nominated Senator Petronilla Were goes to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ex-director general of the Communication Authority Ezra Chiloba has been handed a new lifeline after President Ruto nominated him Consul General of the Kenyan mission in Los Angeles, USA.

He, last year in October upon suspension, tendered his resignation amid an ongoing probe into his alleged abuse of office and misuse of funds in the communication sector regulator's Sh662.4 million mortgage scheme.

Chiloba is facing accusations of not only approving his mortgage loan but also paying some Sh25 million to a company where he is the sole director which pointed to a conflict of interest.

The widow of the third Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru Catherine Kirumba Karemu was also nominated as High Commissioner to the UK, replacing Manoah Esipisu; former West Pokot Woman Rep Lilian Tomitom as High Commissioner in Lusaka, Zambia, to succeed Flora Karugu, while former LSK Vice President Caroline Kamende Daudi has been proposed as the High Commissioner, Ottawa, Canada.

Others are Prof Anne Kisaka (Senegal), Timothy Kaluma (Algeria), Jessica Muthoni (Morocco), Halima Yussuf (Netherlands), David Kerich (Washington DC, USA), Everlyne Mwenda (Cuba) and Moi Lemoshira (Japan).

Also on the list of nominees are Kenneth Milimo (UAE), Abdi Korio (Oman), Gertrude Angote (UNEP), Grace Okara (UN-Habitat), Fancy Too (Switzerland) and Erastus Lokaale (UN, New York).

Other deputy heads of mission are Suleiman Roba (Uganda), Sunya Morongei (South Africa), Joseph Waweru (UK), Rose Sumbeiywo (Italy), Kipkosgei Toroitich (Australia), Christopher Kirigua (Washington DC), Peris Kariuki (Brazil), John Chessoni (Israel) and Saadia Salim (Saudi Arabia).

Consuls-general nominees include; Charles Keiru (DRC), Aden Mohamud (Saudi Arabia) and David Lokemer (UAE). Philip Thigo was named special envoy on technology.

The President also made nominations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters including Beatrice Karago (Director of Americas and Caribbean), Julius Bargoret (UNON), Jane Makori (Deputy Director of Asia and the Pacific) and Joseph Masila (Director of Economic Affairs and Commercial Diplomacy).